Cycle for Hope 2026

Aim

To raise funds for the Hope Football Centre in Senegal and help build a new artificial turf football pitch to serve the local community

Our Story

My name is Robert Cuthbert, and I am originally from Northern Ireland. Together with my family, I serve at the Hope Football Centre in Senegal, West Africa, where we use football (soccer) as a tool to serve communities, build relationships, and share God's love.

Over the past number of years, we have seen first-hand the incredible impact that sport can have on young people. Football brings people together across social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. It creates opportunities for mentorship, education, community development, and meaningful conversations that might never happen otherwise.

This summer, our team of 15 cyclists from Northern Ireland—7 adults and 8 children— will undertake an adventure called Cycle for Hope. Together we will cycle from Maryland to Georgia, covering hundreds of miles to raise support for a project that we believe can have a lasting impact on an entire community in Senegal.

Our Vision

Our vision is to develop the Hope Football Centre into a place where young people can thrive.

At the centre of that vision is a new artificial turf football pitch.

Right now, access to quality sports facilities is extremely limited. Many young people play on rough, dusty surfaces that become difficult or unusable during parts of the year. Schools, community groups, and local football clubs all face challenges finding suitable places to train, compete, and gather.

We believe an artificial turf pitch can change that.

The Hope Football Centre will become a hub for sport, education, leadership development, and community engagement. It will be a place where children can play safely, schools can hold sports programmes, local clubs can train, and community events can take place throughout the year.

Most importantly, it will provide a space where relationships can be built and lives can be influenced for generations to come.

How We Will Use the Money Raised

Every penny raised through Cycle for Hope will go towards the development of the artificial turf pitch at the Hope Football Centre in Senegal.

Funds will help cover:

• Ground preparation and construction
• Installation of the artificial turf surface
• Pitch infrastructure and equipment
• Goals, fencing, and safety features
• Facilities that will allow schools, clubs, and community groups to use the pitch effectively

This is not simply a sports project.

It is an investment in young people, families, and the wider community.

The completed pitch will serve Hope Football programmes, local schools, football clubs, youth activities, tournaments, and community events for many years to come. Thousands of people will benefit from a facility that provides opportunities which currently do not exist.

By supporting Cycle for Hope, you are helping create something that will have a lasting impact long after the final mile has been cycled.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 23rd August 2026 at 1:26am